‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ review: Krysten Ritter stars in a new AMC series that sends up the clones once again

CNN
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Cloning is a pretty good metaphor for one of the key methods used to populate television these days, but “Orphan Black: Echoes” at least tries to distinguish itself from its predecessor, which lasted five seasons and provided a showcase Emmy Award winner for Tatiana Maslany. . Starring Krysten Ritter, the new AMC series packs its share of twists and turns without possessing the DNA needed to launch another army of clones.

Taking a slightly more specific approach, the series is set in 2052, with Lucy (Ritter, aka Marvel’s “Jessica Jones”) fleeing a facility where she appears to have emerged fully formed from some sort of pink ooze with no memory of who she is, she was only told that she had undergone “a procedure”.

Flash forward, and after her escape, she has regained a modicum of normalcy in the outside world with Jack (Avan Jogia) and his teenage daughter (Zariella Langford-Haughton).

Alas, secrets don’t stay buried in sci-fi dramas, and Lucy is discovered by scientist Dr. Kira Manning (Keeley Hawes), who “imprinted” her, while being pursued by agents who forced, as Lucy says: to “find out who I was to protect who I am”. This raises many questions about her past identity, who is responsible for this elaborate (and illegal) technology, and what the “dark ones” behind it want from her.

The answers prove somewhat unexpected, particularly those concerning a teenager, Jules (Amanda Fix), who is also reluctantly involved in the plot. Details gradually unfold over the course of the 10-episode season while providing an emotional hook that brings welcome depth to the characters, including the obligatory billionaire (an utterly frightening James Hiroyuki Liao) who championed Manning’s work but whose motivations remain suspect.

As noted, while “Orphan Black” enjoyed a devoted cult following that even developed its own nickname “Clone Club,” its narrative contortions became less engaging over time, a pitfall that “Echoes” largely avoids , at least coming off the assembly line.

Inevitably, however, the concept of cloning has a way of diluting the drama, as variations on the theme involving multiple versions of the same identity (HBO’s version of “Westworld” comes to mind) have discovered. have discovered, mostly the hard way.

Created by Anna Fishko (“Fear the Walking Dead”), who executive produces the series with co-creator of the original John Fawcett, the new series does a decent job of threading the needle in terms of connecting with its namesake while still establishing a distinct relationship. set of issues and autonomous characters. That said, Ritter’s role isn’t as visible as Maslany’s, who largely defined this series.

More broadly, AMC has also found a fertile niche in the genre, with its Anne Rice series “Interview With the Vampire,” its acquisition of “Snowpiercer” and now this show to help flesh out its still-heavy “Walking Dead” lineup. “. .

It’s not an unqualified endorsement of sending out clones, but tasked with giving “Orphan Black” an updated genetic overhaul, “Echoes” credibly assumes what is, no matter how one looks at it. assembles it, a difficult and complicated procedure.

“Orphan Black: Echoes” premieres June 23 at 10 p.m. ET on AMC, BBC America and AMC+.